Abstract
Introduction: Polymethyl methacrylate as denture base material is not ideal in many aspects. The primary problem is its poor strength characteristics, including low impact and flexural strength. The fatigue failure occurs when the denture base deforms repeatedly through occlusal forces, hence dentures tend to break during usage in due course of time. The aim of this study was to measure and compare the flexural strength of heat cure Polymethyl methacrylate denture base resin with and without reinforcement of polyethylene fiber.
 Method: A total of 52 specimens (maxillary complete denture) were divided into 2 groups (n=26); Group A(Control): Dentures without reinforcement, Group B: Dentures reinforced with Polyethylene fiber. All specimens were subjected to three-point bending test in UTM. A flexural load was applied to each maxillary complete denture at a speed of 5mm/min until fracture and the flexural load required to break specimen was recorded.
 Results: The mean values and standard deviation of each test specimen group was calculated and statistical analysis of obtained values was done using ANOVA. Mean flexural strength for Group A was 142.66±29.95 MPa and Group B was 218.88±29.96 MPa. Group comparison showed a statistically significant difference (p<0.001) between group A and B. This suggested that flexural strength for specimens reinforced with Polyethylene fibers was significantly higher than specimens without reinforcement.
 Conclusion: Reinforcement of heat cure polymethyl methacylate denture base resin with polyethylene fiber resulted in significant increase in flexural strength.
Highlights
Polymethyl methacrylate as denture base material is not ideal in many aspects
Total of 52 test specimens were fabricated for the study, which were divided into 2 Groups of 26 specimens each (n=26) depending upon different reinforcements, Group A (Control) comprised of unreinforced denture and Group B, denture was reinforced with Polyethylene fiber
Multiple group comparison showed a statistically significant difference between groups A and B(p< 0.001) [Table 2]. This suggested the greater flexural strength for specimens reinforced with Polyethylene fibers as compared to unreinforced specimens
Summary
Polymethyl methacrylate as denture base material is not ideal in many aspects. The primary problem is its poor strength characteristics, including low impact and flexural strength. The aim of this study was to measure and compare the flexural strength of heat cure Polymethyl methacrylate denture base resin with and without reinforcement of polyethylene fiber. Conclusion: Reinforcement of heat cure polymethyl methacylate denture base resin with polyethylene fiber resulted in significant increase in flexural strength. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) as denture base material dates back to 19371 but is still the most predominantly used denture base material because of its availability, dimensional stability, and excellent esthetics, ease of processing and repair, compatibility with oral tissues. Three approaches to improve the strength are: use of an alternative material (polyamides and polycarbonates) the chemical modification of a denture base material by such as copolymerization with a rubber graft copolymer[4] or the addition of cross-linking agents[5] and the reinforcement of PMMA with other materials such as carbon fibers[6], glass fibers[7] and ultrahigh modulus polyethylene fibers[8] or metal inserts[9] into denture bases
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